Croydon Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 67 verdicts at Croydon Crown Court (Croydon). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Robert Chown

Sexual exploitation of children

October 3, 2025

Sentence: 25 years imprisonment, with 7 years on licence

Robert Chown, an IT specialist from Borrowdale Drive, Purley, near Croydon, posed as a teenage boy online under the username ‘FredHasFiveToes’ on the dark web forum ‘The Sanctuary’ starting in 2019. He targeted and incited thousands of children as young as six from countries including Australia, the US, Denmark, Netherlands, Russia, and Poland to perform sexual acts on camera. He shared hundreds of indecent images he captured, including a photo of a 12-year-old girl taken in person, who was later identified and safeguarded. Upon arrest in September 2023, authorities seized two mobile phones with 2,000 indecent images and videos of children (categories A-C), plus 204 Google Translate entries of phrases in English, Russian, and Polish used to incite children during live streams.

Pleaded guilty to 41 charges at a previous court hearing. Placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Ronald Lord

Drug Smuggling

September 5, 2025

Sentence: six years imprisonment

Ronald Lord, a 71-year-old from Montreal, Canada, attempted to smuggle eight kilograms of cocaine worth approximately £640,000 into the UK. The drugs were hidden in the back seat panel of his mobility scooter, which was discovered during an X-ray scan by Border Force staff at Gatwick Airport on February 7, 2025. He claimed he was on a seven-day holiday to Barbados and was sightseeing in the UK, but evidence contradicted his denial of knowledge.

Pleaded guilty to class A drug smuggling charges. A screw from the scooter seat panel was found in his pocket, and he denied knowledge initially.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Babah Sesay

Assault

August 29, 2025

Sentence: 16 years imprisonment

Babah Sesay attacked his former colleagues, leading to his sentencing.

Michael Boateng

Drug dealing

August 11, 2025

Sentence: 14 years imprisonment

Michael Boateng was found with almost 20 kilos of crystal meth, valued at over £2 million, during a police raid on his home on Valentine's Day 2024. He had previously been stopped by police in 2023 and found with drugs, after which he was bailed, leading to his arrest and conviction for drug dealing.

Had prior convictions for match-fixing and involvement in a drugs gang; was given a second chance in 2015 but continued drug-related activities.

Sources: bristolpost.co.uk

Reinaldo Goncalo Bertoni Filho

Sexual assault on a child under 13 years

July 25, 2025

Sentence: 9 years imprisonment

In July 2017, Reinaldo Goncalo Bertoni Filho sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl while she was cycling alone in Ewell, Surrey, by cornering her, pushing her to the ground, and assaulting her. The victim resisted by biting him and scratching his face, providing DNA evidence that was uploaded to the National DNA Database. Two months later, in September 2017, he assaulted a 10-year-old girl walking alone in Claygate, Surrey, by pinning her against a tree and sexually assaulting her. The victim escaped by kicking him and reported the incident, leading to further confrontation and DNA evidence from an ear bud that matched the earlier sample. He was arrested in 2024 after a DNA match during a job application vetting process.

Pleaded guilty to sexual assault by penetration and was found guilty of sexual assault on a child under 13 years. Given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register. Detective Sergeant Adele Robertson described the offences as 'heinous' and praised the victims' bravery.

Sources: bbc.co.uk

John Iwuh

Rape and Voyeurism

July 11, 2025

Sentence: 16 years imprisonment

John Iwuh, a 54-year-old nurse, met the victim, a woman in her 40s, through the dating app Hinge on 7 June 2022. He quickly moved their conversation to WhatsApp and arranged a date for 8 June 2022 at Norwood Junction station. He used his profession to gain her trust and lured her to his home in Albert Road, South Norwood, claiming he had limited time due to work. Once there, he repeatedly attempted to kiss her despite her refusals, then forced her into his bedroom and raped her. He also videoed the assault, which was later used as evidence. The victim reported the incident the same evening and received support throughout the investigation.

Found guilty of rape and voyeurism. Will be placed on the sex offenders register for life, with a restraining order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order enforced.

Sources: news.met.police.uk

Bryam Moreno

Burglary

July 1, 2025

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment

Colombian national Bryam Moreno, 29, burgled a flat in Charlton on February 9, 2025, stealing phones, a laptop, and designer bags. He was also linked to a similar burglary at a property in Oxshott, Surrey, four days earlier. After his arrest by Surrey Police, he was found selling the stolen items and attempted to delay his detention by fabricating a story about a three-year-old son left alone, leading police on a six-hour search that proved fruitless.

Sorosh Amini

Rape

June 27, 2025

Sentence: 7 years imprisonment

In August 2024, Sorosh Amini approached a 13-year-old girl in broad daylight on North End Road in Croydon, persistently engaging her in conversation despite being told to leave. He followed her into an alleyway, where he forcibly kissed her, attempted to put a cannabis joint into her mouth, and threatened her by mentioning a stabbing incident, making her fear he had a knife. He then raped her. The victim reported the assault, leading to an investigation that used CCTV footage, forensic dogs, phone data, and other evidence to arrest him in Liverpool five days after the offence.

Convicted of rape and sexual assault after a two-week trial. Also issued with a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Detective Inspector Donnett Oseni described the attack as predatory and calculated, noting Amini as a dangerous sexual offender.

Sources: news.met.police.uk

Geoffrey Nurthen

Indecent Assault

June 25, 2025

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

Geoffrey Nurthen, a former RAF mechanic, molested young girls in the early 1970s when he was in his 30s. The offences involved indecent assaults, with Nurthen ignoring the victims' pleas to stop and continuing despite their complaints of pain. He was charged in 2023 with nine offences, convicted on four counts including multiple incidents, after denying all charges. The abuse had severe and lasting impacts on the victims, altering the course of their lives from a young age.

Convicted on four counts of indecent assault after a trial. Victims provided impact statements detailing lifelong effects, including nightmares and suicide attempts. Judge Anthony Dunne considered his age, lack of previous convictions, and military background in sentencing.

Sources: mylondon.news

Paul Clifton

Abuse of position of trust

June 20, 2025

Sentence: Five years and seven months imprisonment

Paul Clifton, a former teacher, groomed and sexually abused two underage female students while in positions of trust. In one case, he initiated a relationship with a 15-year-old student in Surrey in 2017, using creative writing sessions to gain her trust, assigning pet names, and engaging in sexual activity on and off school premises over a year. In another case, in 2006 in Kent, he groomed a 15-year-old student by belittling her, exchanging explicit messages, and having sex with her after she turned 16. Both victims suffered long-term emotional impacts.

Pleaded guilty to multiple sexual offences including sexual communications with a child, sexual activity with a child, and abuse of position of trust. He will be subject to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order and has been placed on the Children’s Barred List.

Sources: getsurrey.co.uk

Kenneth Hughes

Fraud

June 13, 2025

Sentence: 16 months imprisonment and ordered to pay more than £2,500 in fines and costs

Kenneth Hughes, a tree surgeon from Bromley, distributed leaflets advertising his services and was hired by two residents in 2019 to remove a tree and a shrub. He misrepresented the costs of disposing of the garden waste, claiming £1,447 for one resident and initially £3,641.25 for the other, which was later reduced to £2,450, using a fake 'price-per-kilo' calculation to justify the inflated charges. This deception prompted complaints to Bromley Council's Trading Standards, leading to an investigation and his prosecution.

Convicted on two counts of fraud after misleading residents about garden waste disposal costs.

Sources: newsshopper.co.uk

Nino-Tai Smith

Causing Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent

June 4, 2025

Sentence: 7 years and 3 months imprisonment

Nino-Tai Smith rammed a stolen Mercedes into a motorcyclist in Cedars Road, Clapham on June 10, 2021, amid a gang rivalry, then stabbed the victim with a machete, causing life-changing injuries. He fled the scene, crashed the vehicle in Newby Street, discarded the weapon, and was later apprehended on the Patmore Estate in Battersea where he was found with an illegal firearm.

Pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. Also serving a concurrent 5-year sentence for possessing a firearm, following guilty plea at Inner London Crown Court.

Sources: mylondon.news

Keith Edun

Encouraging rape and sexual assault of a baby

February 15, 2025

Sentence: 13 years imprisonment with an additional 8 years on licence

Keith Edun encouraged the rape and sexual assault of a baby through online communication on the Kik app, distributed and made indecent images of children, and attempted to pervert the course of justice by deleting apps to hide his activity. This was linked to a separate investigation involving a rape that occurred in March 2020, with Edun's involvement uncovered through digital forensic examination of devices seized during a warrant executed in September 2021.

Pleaded guilty to encouraging the rape and sexual assault of a baby, distributing indecent images of children, two counts of making indecent images of children, and perverting the course of justice. The judge described him as a dangerous sexual offender posing a significant risk of harm to children.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Thomas Govan

Rape

November 15, 2024

Sentence: 20 years in prison

Thomas Govan, 23, from Worthing, ran an international paedophile network by grooming a 13-year-old girl to self-harm and degrade herself on camera, then selling the images to other paedophiles online. He met with the girl on two occasions, filmed himself raping and sexually assaulting her, and distributed the video. He was arrested in Australia following an international investigation led by the Metropolitan Police.

Pleaded guilty to 25 charges including rape, sexual assault, making and distributing indecent images of children, and encouraging children to watch sexual acts. Also put on the sex offender register and given a sexual harm prevention order.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Heilab Assefa

Sexual Assault

October 1, 2024

Sentence: 14 years and four months' imprisonment

Heilab Assefa, 29, of London Road, Croydon, met a woman for the first time earlier in the evening and later assaulted her outside his home around midnight on 18 November 2023. The attack involved violent physical assault and sexual offences, which he filmed. Police were called to the scene on London Road in Croydon, where he was tackled and arrested immediately.

Pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault at a hearing in June. Detective Sergeant Tim Walter described him as a dangerous sexual predator and emphasised the police's commitment to tackling violence against women and girls.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Milton White

Breach of Sexual Offence Prevention Order

August 6, 2024

Sentence: 8 months imprisonment

Milton White breached a sexual offence prevention order by entering another person’s home in Southwark without their consent on June 12, 2024. This followed his earlier release from prison after a conviction for rape.

Sentenced for the deliberate breach of a sexual offence prevention order. He was caught entering another person’s home without consent.

Sources: newsshopper.co.uk

Cliff Mitchell

Rape

July 25, 2024

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years and 225 days

Cliff Mitchell, a former Metropolitan Police officer, conducted a campaign of rape against two female victims between 2014 and 2023. He carried out more than 50 sex attacks, including tying a woman up with cable ties, placing duct tape over her mouth, and kidnapping her in September 2023. The offending ended when one victim escaped and sought help, leading to his arrest. Mitchell was found guilty of 10 counts of rape, three counts of rape of a child under 13, one count of kidnap, and breach of a non-molestation order. His crimes involved controlling and dominating his victims, who were intimidated into silence over several years.

Sentence increased from an original minimum of 13 years and 225 days following a referral by the Solicitor General. Mitchell's appeal to reduce the sentence on grounds of previous good character was dismissed.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Tyler Charter

Arranging or facilitating a child sex offence

May 23, 2024

Sentence: 6.5 years imprisonment

Tyler Charter, 35, possessed 4,233 indecent images and videos of children on his devices, including online conversations discussing the sexual abuse of young children as young as three years old. He showed a desire to commit acts such as rape towards children. Police arrested him at his address in Croydon in September 2022, where he attempted to dispose of evidence before it was seized.

Found guilty of arranging or facilitating a child sex offence and possession of indecent images of children. A joint investigation by the Met and National Crime Agency gathered evidence over two years.

Sources: standard.co.uk

James Robert Hearne Junior

Fraud

May 10, 2024

Sentence: 200 hours of unpaid work, 20 hours of rehabilitation, and a 13-month suspended sentence

James Robert Hearne Junior, through Drytech Roofing Contractors Limited, took over a guttering job at a Dulwich property in December 2021 and advised unnecessary roof replacement. He stripped roof tiles without consent, demanded £16,000 plus an additional £2,000 for stabilising beams, which was later proven to be false. He pressured the homeowner for a £4,000 deposit and engaged in intimidation, leaving rubbish and materials at the site. An independent survey confirmed the roof was originally sound and his work was abysmal and worthless, requiring £6,000 to repair.

Ordered to pay £3,000 in compensation, £1,000 in costs, and a £100 victim surcharge. Involved in a fraudulent roofing scam with his father.

Sources: standard.co.uk

James Robert Hearne Senior

Fraud

May 10, 2024

Sentence: 150 hours of unpaid work, 10 hours of rehabilitation, and a nine-month suspended sentence

James Robert Hearne Senior, operating through T&H Roofcare Limited, was contracted for guttering work at a Dulwich property in December 2021. He passed the job to his son's firm and advised unnecessary roof replacement. The duo stripped roof tiles without consent, demanded £16,000 plus an additional £2,000 for stabilising beams, which was later proven to be false. They pressured the homeowner for a £4,000 deposit and engaged in intimidation, leaving rubbish and materials at the site. An independent survey confirmed the roof was originally sound and their work was abysmal and worthless, requiring £6,000 to repair.

Ordered to pay £3,000 in compensation, £1,000 in costs, and a £100 victim surcharge. Involved in a fraudulent roofing scam with his son.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Paul Debenham

Aggravated Burglary

April 29, 2024

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

Paul Debenham, a serial burglar, broke into homes in the Orpington area, often targeting the elderly. On 31 October 2023, he entered a house on Spur Road while brandishing a handgun, pushed a 76-year-old woman to the floor, threatened a 78-year-old man, and stole their car before fleeing. On 2 November 2023, he broke into a 96-year-old woman's home on Blenheim Road by smashing a back door glass panel with a brick, threatened her with a hammer, demanded car keys and jewellery, and was captured on internal CCTV rummaging through the property. He was identified through fingerprints on a discarded box of alcohol and extensive CCTV enquiries, and was linked to a total of 15 offences.

Targeted elderly victims, threatened them with a handgun and hammer, showed no remorse, and was charged with four commercial burglaries, seven residential burglaries, theft of a motor vehicle, and vehicle interference. PC Rob Melton noted that Debenham committed crimes to fund his lifestyle and that the arrest resulted from combined police efforts.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Danny Butler

Possession of firearms with intent to endanger life

April 22, 2024

Sentence: 18 years imprisonment

Danny Butler, 45, from Tulse Hill, concealed a total of six weapons, including three handguns (one loaded) in a children’s clothes drawer, another handgun and a pump-action sawn-off shotgun in a wardrobe, and a second sawn-off shotgun in the coat cupboard, along with ammunition and Class A and Class B drugs in the house in Lambeth. The drugs were found in areas easily accessible to children, such as the living room floor, TV unit, and coat cupboard. This was uncovered during a police raid based on intelligence about firearms being stored at the address.

Sentenced for possession of six firearms with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition, and possession of Class A and B drugs with intent to supply. The investigation targeted gang violence in south London. Detective Inspector Nikki Owen commented on the devastating impact of violent crime and the removal of dangerous weapons from the streets.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Isaque Rodrigues-Leite

Coercive Control

March 21, 2024

Sentence: 2 years and 3 months imprisonment

Isaque Rodrigues-Leite subjected his wife to physical and emotional abuse that escalated after he joined the Metropolitan Police in March 2019. The abuse included trapping her in a caravan during a holiday in April 2019 after she discovered messages suggesting infidelity, where he raised his fist at a witness who intervened. In July 2019, he blockaded her in their bedroom, pushed her back onto the bed, punched a wall, and later accelerated a car towards her, causing her to jump on the bonnet and fall. He also threatened her, held her arms down, made fists at her, and told her no one would believe her because he was a police officer. The coercive control offence spanned from January 1, 2016, to July 21, 2019.

Found guilty of four counts of false imprisonment, two counts of common assault, one count of criminal damage, and one count of coercive control. Recorder Daniel Dyal noted a major escalation in his behaviour after joining the police force in March 2019. He was dismissed from the Metropolitan Police and banned from re-joining.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Stephen Dynan

Conspiracy to supply drugs and obtain a firearm

March 8, 2024

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

Stephen Dynan, from Wolsey Crescent in Croydon, was involved in a plot to supply five kilos of cocaine and obtain a machine gun, as well as plans to import cocaine and cannabis, transfer criminal property, plan a sophisticated warehouse burglary, and plot to falsely imprison multiple people between March and June 2020. He used an encrypted device for these discussions and was arrested on January 12, 2023, following a warrant at his home address.

Pleaded guilty to six charges including plans to obtain a skorpion machine gun, import cocaine and cannabis, and transfer criminal property. Involved in planning a sophisticated warehouse burglary and plotting to falsely imprison multiple people.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Rebecca Patrick

Romance Fraud

January 24, 2024

Sentence: 18 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months

Rebecca Patrick, along with Ibrahim Moro, defrauded vulnerable victims through romance scams by posing as someone in a relationship with them to gain trust and extract money. For instance, an elderly Australian man was tricked into sending £138,000, believing she was entitled to gold in Ghana and would move to Australia.

Denied the offences, claiming she gave Moro access to her accounts to send money to his family in Ghana. From Croydon.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Ibrahim Moro

Romance Fraud

January 24, 2024

Sentence: 5.5 years imprisonment

Ibrahim Moro, along with Rebecca Patrick, targeted older and vulnerable victims on dating sites, defrauding them of hundreds of thousands of pounds through romance scams. One victim, an elderly Australian man, transferred £138,000 believing he was in a relationship with Patrick. Moro was linked to the email account used in the fraud and transferred money to accounts in Ghana.

Denied the offences, claiming the money was from a clothing business in Ghana. From Bromley.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Harley Dee Thompson

Murder

January 12, 2024

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years

Harley Dee Thompson stabbed Dariusz Wolosz, 46, to death during a street fight on Tavistock Road in West Drayton on January 4, 2022. The attack involved multiple stab injuries to Wolosz's groin and chest with severe force, resulting in his immediate death. The incident stemmed from a dispute, and Thompson was on remand for 732 days prior to sentencing.

Originally tried at Harrow Crown Court with no verdict on murder but guilty of possession of a bladed article; retried at Croydon Crown Court and convicted of murder after three hours of deliberation. Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley described the attack as ferocious and noted Thompson's lack of courage to admit the crime.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Ashley Singh

Conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation

January 10, 2024

Sentence: 3 years imprisonment

Ashley Singh and Sophie Bruyea targeted gyms, primarily in London, stealing bank cards from lockers while victims were exercising. They used the stolen cards to purchase luxury items, designer gear, and fund extravagant holidays, with a total value of £250,000 stolen between January 2022 and January 2023. The pair flaunted their ill-gotten wealth on social media and were arrested at Gatwick Airport with designer goods worth 2,000 Euros.

Previously jailed in 2019 for six-and-a-half years for similar crimes. The judge described the offence as a 'wicked conspiracy'.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Sophie Bruyea

Conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation

January 10, 2024

Sentence: 20 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, plus a rehabilitation programme and 120 hours of unpaid work

Sophie Bruyea and Ashley Singh targeted gyms, mainly in London, stealing bank cards from lockers while victims were exercising. They used the stolen cards to buy luxury items, designer gear, and fund holidays, with a total value of £250,000 stolen between January 2022 and January 2023. The pair flaunted their wealth on social media and were arrested at Gatwick Airport with designer goods worth 2,000 Euros.

Worked with her partner Ashley Singh in the crime spree, which involved targeting gyms and stealing from lockers.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Ahmed Hassanen

Ill-treatment

January 4, 2024

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment

Ahmed Hassanen, employed as a support worker at Grove House in Sutton, abused vulnerable adults by spraying water at them, locking them in a room, hitting them, squeezing their genitals, dragging them, twisting their arms, throwing away their belongings, and also insulted a second victim, threw water over him, denied him food or money, attacked him, damaged his clothes and possessions, and prevented him from sleeping.

Alex Nazareth

Ill-treatment

January 4, 2024

Sentence: 18 months imprisonment

Alex Nazareth, employed as a support worker at Grove House in Sutton, which provides care for adults with learning disabilities, mental illness, and complex needs, abused victims by spraying water at them, locking them in a room, hitting them, squeezing their genitals, dragging them, twisting their arms, and throwing away their belongings. This occurred as part of a series of incidents involving emotional and psychological mistreatment.

Georgios Skordoulis

Ill-treatment

January 4, 2024

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment

Georgios Skordoulis, as a support worker at Grove House in Sutton, abused vulnerable adults with learning disabilities and mental illness by spraying water at them, locking them in a room, hitting them, squeezing their genitals, dragging them, twisting their arms, throwing away their belongings, and also insulted a second victim, threw water over him, denied him food or money, attacked him, damaged his clothes and possessions, and prevented him from sleeping.

Kevarnie Queen

Rape

December 1, 2023

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

Kevarnie Queen, 19, engaged in a three-year campaign of sexual violence against six girls under the age of 18, involving repeated acts of rape and abuse.

Committed a three-year campaign of sexual violence against six girls under 18. Dubbed the 'Brixton R Kelly'.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Raekwon Hanniford-Brown

Murder

July 22, 2023

Sentence: Life imprisonment with a minimum term of 19 years

Raekwon Hanniford-Brown stabbed Errol McKay, 49, 24 times during an argument at McKay's flat on Trinity Crescent, Balham, on July 27, 2022. The altercation turned physical, resulting in fatal wounds to McKay's head and neck. Hanniford-Brown had been storing drugs in the flat and supplying McKay with crack cocaine. After the attack, he moved his drugs safe, fled the scene on a bicycle, disposed of the knife, and attempted to leave the country but was arrested at Gatwick Airport on July 28, 2022.

Claimed self-defence due to PTSD and a phobia of knives, but evidence including forensic links and mobile phone data indicated otherwise. He had an agreement to store drugs in the victim's flat in exchange for supplying crack cocaine.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Sian Chambers

Possession of firearm and ammunition

July 21, 2023

Sentence: 6 years imprisonment

Officers searched her address in January 2022 and found a loaded, converted Retay handgun and ammunition inside a Gucci box, leading to her arrest and conviction.

Brandon Cole

Possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life

July 21, 2023

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

Officers searched Sian Chambers’ address in January 2022 and found a loaded, converted Retay handgun and ammunition inside a Gucci box. Messages on Chambers’ phone linked to Cole, leading to his arrest and subsequent conviction for possession with intent to endanger life.

Found guilty of possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life. Messages on Chambers’ phone led to his arrest.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Alexandru Nastase

Conspiracy to commit burglary

June 19, 2023

Sentence: 1 year imprisonment

Alexandru Nastase was part of a gang that executed burglaries in Croydon, targeting businesses such as betting shops, warehouses, and off-licences from September 5, 2018, to March 13, 2022. The gang broke in, stole cash, and used weapons like a stun gun and CS gas during their operations.

Albert Meliteanu

Conspiracy to commit burglary

June 19, 2023

Sentence: Five-and-a-half years imprisonment

Albert Meliteanu participated in a gang's burglaries in Croydon, which involved breaking into betting shops, cash and carry warehouses, and off-licences between September 5, 2018, and March 13, 2022. In one robbery, gang members attacked a staff member, demanded keys, robbed him, cable-tied him, and beat him.

Erfan Badita

Conspiracy to commit burglary

June 19, 2023

Sentence: 16-and-a-half years imprisonment

Erfan Badita, as the alleged ringleader, led a gang that targeted betting shops, cash and carry warehouses, and off-licences in Croydon between September 5, 2018, and March 13, 2022. The gang broke into businesses, destroyed burglar alarms, cut power supplies, and stole cash from safes. In one incident, gang members attacked a warehouse staff member, robbed him of cash from his wallet, cable-tied him, and beat him after he could not provide keys.

Police believe he was the ringleader and involved in every offence. He was sentenced for conspiracy to commit burglary, robbery, possession of CS Spray, and transferring criminal property. He sent around £47,000 in suspected criminal proceeds to Romania.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Cristian Alexandru Durla

Conspiracy to commit burglary

June 19, 2023

Sentence: Five-and-a-half years imprisonment

Cristian Alexandru Durla took part in a gang that carried out multiple burglaries in Croydon, targeting betting shops, warehouses, and off-licences from September 5, 2018, to March 13, 2022. The gang entered businesses forcibly, stole cash, and committed robbery, including an attack on a staff member who was cable-tied and beaten.

Claudiu Durla

Conspiracy to commit burglary

June 19, 2023

Sentence: Eight-and-a-half years imprisonment

Claudiu Durla was involved in a gang's string of burglaries in Croydon, hitting betting shops, cash and carry warehouses, and off-licences between September 5, 2018, and March 13, 2022. The gang broke into properties, stole cash, and in one instance, assaulted and robbed a staff member.

Sarok Sarhad

Conspiracy to commit burglary

June 19, 2023

Sentence: Three-and-a-half years imprisonment

Sarok Sarhad was involved in a gang that conducted a series of burglaries in Croydon, targeting betting shops, cash and carry warehouses, and off-licences from September 5, 2018, to March 13, 2022. The gang broke into premises, disabled alarms, and stole cash. Additionally, he was linked to drug-related activities involving cannabis possession and supply.

Sentenced for conspiracy to commit burglary and possession with intent to supply cannabis. A raid on his home uncovered a large quantity of cannabis, weighing scales, and drug dealing paraphernalia.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Nicolai Lucian Zaharia

Conspiracy to commit burglary

June 19, 2023

Sentence: 1 year imprisonment

Nicolai Lucian Zaharia was a member of a gang that planned and executed burglaries in Croydon, focusing on betting shops, cash and carry warehouses, and off-licences between September 5, 2018, and March 13, 2022. The gang broke in, disabled security systems, and fled with cash.

Marian Durla

Conspiracy to commit burglary

June 19, 2023

Sentence: Eight-and-a-half years imprisonment

Marian Durla was part of a gang that carried out burglaries in Croydon, targeting betting shops, cash and carry warehouses, and off-licences between September 5, 2018, and March 13, 2022. The gang broke into businesses, stole cash from safes, and in one case, assaulted a warehouse staff member by demanding keys, robbing him, cable-tying him, and beating him.

Michael Lindo

Armed Robbery

June 7, 2023

Sentence: 8 years imprisonment

Michael Lindo, 41, of no fixed address, conducted a series of armed and attempted armed robberies at bookmakers in south and southeast London between May and September 2022. He stole approximately £9,000, often targeting lone female staff members by entering the premises with his face hidden by a mask and demanding cash at the counter. Specific incidents include robberies on 6 May 2022 in Lower Addiscombe Road, Croydon (£3,342 stolen), 11 August 2022 in Croydon Road, SE20 (£700 stolen), 15 August 2022 in Brixton Hill, SW2 (£4,500 stolen), and 3 September 2022 in Streatham Road (£475 stolen), among others. He was under surveillance by the Met Police’s Flying Squad and arrested on 20 September 2022.

Pleaded guilty to 15 offences relating to nine armed and attempted armed robberies. Described as a prolific and dangerous man who targeted lone female staff and was on licence from a previous 11-year sentence for armed robbery.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Ras Barton

Assault by beating

April 17, 2023

Sentence: community order

Ras Barton assaulted a man by beating him outside the Fox on the Hill pub in Denmark Hill, south London, after the victim criticised Barton's erratic driving in the car park. The incident took place at just after midnight on 12 March 2022. The victim, who was enjoying a night out with friends, was attacked alongside another assailant and required hospital treatment.

Pleaded guilty to assault by beating. He was involved in the same road rage incident as his friend.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Peter Hyacienth

Grievous bodily harm with intent

April 17, 2023

Sentence: 8 years and 1 month imprisonment

Peter Hyacienth stabbed a man in the head with a knife outside the Fox on the Hill pub in Denmark Hill, south London, after the victim criticised the erratic driving of Hyacienth's friend. The incident occurred in the car park at just after midnight on 12 March 2022. The victim, in his 20s, was taken to hospital in a critical condition and is still recovering from his injuries. Police identified Hyacienth using CCTV, phone data, and number plate recognition.

Pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent. The attack was part of a road rage incident involving his friend.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Leon Ward

Attempted Rape

March 3, 2023

Sentence: 10 years imprisonment

Leon Ward, 49, of New Addington, befriended a 14-year-old girl in May 2020 and began texting her, asking for compromising pictures, which she refused. He continued to pursue her, and during a walk in New Addington in May 2020, he assaulted and attempted to rape her. He was arrested on May 18, 2020, and charged on November 10, 2021, with attempted rape of a 14-year-old girl, three counts of sexual assault by penetration, two counts of sexual assault by touching, and sexual communication with a child, all against the same victim.

He will be on the sex offenders register for life. Detective Constable Jamie Munro highlighted the victim's bravery and noted that Ward took advantage of a vulnerable girl.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Frederick Allchorne

Rape

February 24, 2023

Sentence: 22 years imprisonment

Frederick Allchorne subjected a woman to a campaign of abuse starting in the mid-1980s when she was 15 years old. He drugged and raped her multiple times, tied her to the bed, and caused her to suffer physical injuries and complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The abuse continued until 1991 and was reported in August 2018.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, five counts of administering a stupefying or overpowering drug with intent, five counts of indecent assault on a woman over 16, and one count of bigamy. Previously placed on the Sex Offences Register for life following a conviction in 2010.

Sources: standard.co.uk

Homayon Ahmadi

Rape

January 27, 2023

Sentence: 13 years in prison with a further seven years on licence

Homayon Ahmadi, a 34-year-old private hire driver from Uxbridge, raped a 41-year-old woman in Croydon in April 2021. In another incident in July 2021, he picked up two women in central London, offered them alcohol, and sexually assaulted them after they attempted to leave the vehicle on Hornsey Street, where he grabbed and assaulted them before driving away.

Pleaded guilty to raping a woman. Convicted of one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault.

Sources: standard.co.uk

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